Birth Parents—Frequently Asked Questions

I'm Pregnant. WHat ARE MY OPTIONS?

Contacting us does not mean you have to make an adoption plan. We offer “Decision Making Counselling,” which means we'll help you understand your options so you can make the best choice for you and your child.

These options include parenting the child, either with the other parent, on your own, or with support of extended family. We can help you explore resources in your community such as daycare and community programs. If the pregnancy is in the early stages, abortion is also an option. You may also want to place the child with a relative or someone you know.

If you decide you want to make an adoption plan, we can help you decide how open you want the adoption to be.

Call or text 778-899-7614 to learn more. We are available 24 hours a day. In addition to English, we can help you in Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi, Cantonese, and Spanish.

​HoW DO I CHOOSE AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY?

You can discuss with a social worker the kind of family you would like to raise your child. The social worker will give you adoptive parent(s) profiles which most closely match your preferences. You can read about the family and see pictures of them. See profiles of our adoptive parents by clicking below.

i'VE cHOSEN A FAMILY. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

You can decide whether you want to meet. You will also decide with the adopting parents (and with the help of your social workers) on the level of openness you are comfortable with and develop an openness agreement together. You'll be asked to give the adoptive parents information on your medical and social history.

Once the baby is born, you'll decide how much time you want to spend with him/her before you sign the legal forms.

DO I HAVE TO BE SURE I WANT TO MAKE AN ADOPTION PLAN?

No. A social worker will spend time with you to help you make the right choices and help you to review your options. If you decide not to plan an adoption, we'll help to link you to community resources.

IS THERE ANY COST FOR YOUR SERVICES?

No. Services to birth parents are free. You can also receive free legal advice.

What's OPEN ADOPTION?

Openness describes how much contact there is between a child’s birth family and adoptive family. Having contact can give you reassurance that your child is healthy and happy. It also gives your child information about his/her birth family.

There is a wide range of openness, from none to fully open. In a fully open adoption, the child develops a one-on-one relationship with you and your extended family. Some birth parents prefer annual visits or updates through emails/blogs. In a closed adoption, birth parents have no contact with the child and the adoptive family. The degree of openness is up to you.

You can formalize this arrangement through an openness agreement, but the agreement is not legally binding. The adoptive parents have the final say in whether you see your birth child.

Can I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER THE BABY IS BORN?

Though most birth parents don’t change their minds about the adoption plan, a birth mother has 30 days after her child is born in which to change her decision. Birth fathers can't change their decision after the consents to the adoption are signed.

Can I name my BABY?

You will give your child their birth name when you complete the birth registration. You can discuss with your social worker and the adoptive family your wishes regarding the child’s name. Ultimately, it will be the adopting parent’s decision about the name of the child, but many adoptive families respect the wishes of birth parents, or include the birth name as a middle name, for example.

WhAT's the Process of Placing my CHILD FOR ADOPTION?

We'll connect you with a professional social worker who will provide confidential counselling support during and after your pregnancy and after your child is adopted.​

If you chose adoption, you can place your child with someone you know, such as friend or relative, or choose a family approved by licensed adoption agency or through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

If you chose to adopt through us, we'll provide you with profiles of prospective adoptive parents matching your requests, including preserving your child's racial and cultural heritage. You'll choose the parents for your baby. See some of our Adopting Parent Profiles online.

You can decide how much openness, if any, you would like in your adoption.

We'll help prepare information about your social and medical history for the prospective adopting parents you select to review. This will help them to better understand your child's future needs.

Once you've selected a family, we'll contact them.

You may want to meet the adoptive parents or you may want no contact. If you wish to meet, your social worker will arrange the meeting.

The child can be placed with the adoptive family any time after birth, even though the consents are not signed.

WHO CAN GIVE CONSENT FOR AN ADOPTION?

For an adoption to happen in BC, these people need to consent:

the birth mother;

the birth father if he acknowledges that he is the birth father;

any legal guardians; and

the child, if the child is over the age of 12.

DO I HAVE TO NAME THE BIRTH FATHER?

No, there's no legal requirement for you to name the birth father.

​WHAT IF I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW?

Our services are completely confidential, and we will respect your wishes.